Rd

Robatoy

08/01/2005 12:28 AM

Ping Glenna re: MacCAD

[email protected] (Glenna Rose) wrote:

> BTW, are you aware of any low-end drafting type programs to be used for
> simple projects for the Mac? (Middle son, P.E., is a mite busy with work,
> family and church so not much time to draw for me, and I like to do stuff
> myself anyway, maybe let him refine it.)
>
> Glenna

Hello Glenna... *waves* I decided to start a fresh thread, my last reply
was buried elsewhere.

Microspot MacDraft PE 5.5 Quartz Edition hands down.
http://www.microspot.com/products/macdraftPE.htm

You'll find the environment instantly familiar from the MacDraw days.
(MacPaint even..lol)
Microspot has never taken the eye off the ball when it came to CAD on
the Mac. US$ 116.00 that's for the download version. For the same price,
Microspot Interiors for OSX is a lot of fun. Download a demo?

I use Vectorworks 10 by Nemetschek.
http://www.nemetschek.net/

I have been with them since it was designed for a mini computer (You
know, the ones the size of a washer dryer.. for an intersting trip down
memory lane (pun intended) http://www.corestore.org/38.htm) and called
MiniCAD. I still
have the MiniCAD 1 manuals. *S*

When loyal MiniCAD users were constantly complaining that the name
MiniCAD gave the wrong impression of its capabilities, they finally
broke down when OS X was on the horizon and called it Vectoworks.

Daniel Libeskind won the World Trade Center Design Study competition in
New York City..The Freedom Tower.. another happy Vectorworks user. *VBS*

It's everything anybody could want in a CAD program. AutoCAD has nothing
better to offer (for me) and I say this with confidence, because I took
AutoCAD for 3 years at the local college and have my 3D-modelling
diploma from them. I did that because most industry around here is all
AutoCAD.

Vectorworks supports .dwg file formats flawlessly, it is not an issue.
VectorWorks is my program of choice because of its versatility and
comprehensiveness. Another important factor is that it has been around
for a long time with a refined interface and good support. It is also a
lot of bang for the buck..... even though it is US 1345.00.. that is
with Renderworks included.
( I have a LOT more invested if you add up about 10 major upgrades over
the last 15 years... hence.. the Mac.)

Vectorworks is available for Windows, and people are happy with that.

I am hearing a lot about SketchUp for Mac OSX. I have a demo of it, but
I have yet to take the time to look at it. That's under US$ 500.00

I hope this helps.

Rob